Spanish wellness brand, SHA Wellness Clinic, will open its first international outpost in Mexico today (26 January), in the first phase of its global expansion plans.

Building on the success of its flagship clinic in Spain, the global rollout plan has been developed to reflect the consumer demand to place health and wellbeing at the forefront of all areas of life – business and personal.

SHA Mexico is located in the state of Quintana Roo, in the eastern portion of the Yucatán Peninsula. A further opening is set for the Emirates in 2025*.

The two upcoming properties are part of AB Wellness, one of three divisions which fall under the newly launched holding group AB Living – a global development firm founded by Alfredo Bataller Parietti in 2022. The two other divisions are AB Properties, focused on residential real estate and AB Hospitality, which aims to develop hotel projects with leading global brands.

“We feel we’ve reached our maximum potential at SHA Spain, so we’re making our offer more accessible to a global market,” said SHA vice president Alejandro Bataller in an exclusive interview with Spa Business.

The property and design

SHA Mexico embodies the brand’s commitment to health and wellbeing rising above the Mayan jungle as a striking building inspired by the human genome.

The complex is made up of 35 residences and 100 oceanfront rooms and suites, each with private balconies.

Designed by Mexican architectural firm, Sordo Madaleno, with interiors by Alejandro Escudero, the property blends the indoors with the outdoors with an organic, sustainable and contemporary feel.

Thoughtfully selected natural materials – including Mexican ceramics, wicker, autochthonous textiles and marble – in combination with the use of renewable energies, have been chosen to minimise environmental impact.

Lush tropical gardens have been curated by Maat Handasa, who designed the landscape to respect the local species. With its own stretch of white sand beach, SHA Mexico sits across from the largest coral reef in the northern hemisphere, a marine ecosystem of protected species.

The conceptGuests will choose between four personalised health programmes (which will mimic that of those in SHA’s Spanish outpost and range from four to 21 days).

Each one will be curated to meet the guests’ needs and goals through nine key disciplines: healthy nutrition, preventive & well-ageing, holistic medicine, cognitive stimulation, advanced preventive diagnostics, wellbeing & inner balance, physical performance and healthy living academy. All of these pillars come together to form what has become known as the SHA Method.

The programmes will be led by specialists in four areas of health and wellbeing: Rebalance & Reenergize, Detox & Optimal Weight, Well-Ageing & Prevention and Leader’s Performance.

Wellness facilities

Complete with 100 treatment rooms, SHA Mexico’s wellness clinic is home to medical consultation rooms offering either ocean or mangrove vistas, mind and body rooms, a spa, a fitness studio, yoga and meditation sanctuaries and a hydrotherapy circuit.

An Athletics Club offers fitness programmes guided by a team of specialists, in addition to outdoor and indoor training areas, four movement studios, high-tech fitness equipment, guided walking meditation routes and tennis and paddle courts.

Other amenities include two restaurants, an infinity pool, a beach club, a games room and a movie theatre, as well as a library, meeting rooms and a chef’s studio that will play host to Healthy Living workshops.

"I'm thrilled to witness the realisation of our vision as SHA Wellness opens its doors in Mexico, marking a new chapter in integrative health and wellbeing,” said Bataller.

“Our commitment to transformative health experiences and unparalleled hospitality is now extended to the heart of Mexico, inviting individuals to embark on a journey of self-discovery and optimal health.

“This is not just an inauguration; it's a celebration of a harmonious blend of nature, science and luxury, creating a sanctuary where balance is not just achieved but embraced.”

*SHA EmiratesOpening in 2025, SHA Emirates will be located in the new AlJurf coastal development halfway between Abu Dhabi and Dubai (just over 30 minutes from each city).

The 12.5-hectare site will be set amidst hundreds of thousands of planted trees that form a verdant forest in the middle of the desert, so guests will always be immersed in nature.

“It’s not what many would think of when they consider a wellness clinic in the Emirates, but that’s exactly what we wanted to achieve,” explained Bataller.

“It’s being created by local developer IMKAN, with an investment of AED600 million (US$163.4 million, €146.8 million, £124.5 million), and will include 110 treatment rooms, 120 suites and a large real estate component with 150 residences.

“Our dream is to create the world’s sixth Blue Zone – places which are recognised as having the highest concentration of centenarians. We envisage a tranquil wellness island, surrounded by nature, that will be an escape from busy city life. It will be a real first for the region and attract travellers from around the world.”